Ozone delivery system including a variable pitch gas-fluid contact device

ABSTRACT

An ozone delivery system for delivering and manufacturing a measured amount of an ozone/oxygen admixture, which is able to measure, control, report and differentiate between delivered-ozone and absorbed-dose of ozone. Improved gas-fluid contacting devices that maximize gas-fluid mass transfer may be included. All gas contacting surfaces of the system, including one or more gas-fluid contacting devices are made from ozone-inert construction materials that generally do not absorb ozone or introduce amounts of contaminants or deleterious byproducts of oxidation into a fluid or non-fluid target from ozone oxidation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/910,485, filed Aug. 2, 2004, now abandoned and also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/910,439, filed Aug.2, 2004, now abandoned both of which claim the benefit of earlier-filedU.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/553,774, filed Mar. 17, 2004,and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/491,997, filed Jul. 31,2003. The disclosures of the foregoing applications are incorporatedherein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically, ozone has been used as a disinfectant or sterilizing agentin a variety of applications. These include fluid-based technologiessuch as: purification of potable water, sterilization of fluids in thesemi-conductor industry, disinfection of wastewater and sewage, andinactivation of pathogens in biological fluids. Ozone has also been usedin the past as a topical medicinal treatment, as a systemic therapeuticand as a treatment of various fluids that were subsequently used totreat a variety of diseases.

Previous technologies were incapable of measuring and differentiatingbetween the amount of ozone that was delivered and the amount of ozoneactually absorbed and utilized. This meant previous medicinaltechnologies for use in patients were incapable of measuring, reportingor differentiating the amount of ozone delivered from the amount thatwas actually absorbed and utilized. This problem made regulatoryapproval as a therapeutic unlikely. Previous fluid treatmenttechnologies were also incapable of measuring, reporting ordifferentiating the amount of ozone delivered from the amount that wasactually absorbed by a fluid.

In addition, early approaches of mixing ozone with fluids employedgas-fluid contacting devices that were engineered with poor masstransfer efficiency of gas to fluids. Later, more efficient gas-fluidcontacting devices were developed, but these devices used constructionmaterials that were not ozone inert and therefore, reacted with andabsorbed ozone. This resulted in absorption of ozone by the constructionmaterials making it impossible to determine the amount of ozonedelivered to and absorbed by the fluid. Furthermore, ozone absorption byconstruction materials likely caused oxidation and the subsequentrelease of contaminants or deleterious byproducts of oxidation into thefluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ozone delivery system for delivering and manufacturing a measuredamount of an ozone/oxygen admixture, which is able to measure, control,report and differentiate between delivered-ozone and absorbed-dose ofozone, is disclosed. Improved gas-fluid contacting devices that maximizegas-fluid mass transfer may be included. All gas contacting surfaces ofthe system, including one or more gas-fluid contacting devices are madefrom ozone-inert construction materials that generally do not absorbozone or introduce amounts of contaminants or deleterious byproducts ofoxidation into a fluid or non-fluid target from ozone oxidation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above, a more particular description of an ozonedelivery system will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciatedthat these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention andare therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the ozone delivery systemdescribed in the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a sphere-containing gas-fluidcontact device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a variable pitch gas-fluidcontacting device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a variable pitch platform usedin conjunction with FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a continuous loopconfiguration for fluid flow in a dialysis-like format.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a non-fluid topicalapplication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Definitions

An ozone/oxygen admixture refers to a concentration of ozone in anoxygen carrier gas. Various units of concentration utilized by thoseskilled in the art include: micrograms of ozone per milliliter ofoxygen, parts (ozone) per million (oxygen) by weight (‘ppm’) and partsper million by volume (‘ppmv’). As a unit of concentration for ozone inoxygen, ppmv is defined as the molar ratio between ozone and oxygen. Oneppmv ozone is equal to 0.00214 micrograms of ozone per milliliter ofoxygen. Additionally, one ppm ozone equals 0.00143 micrograms of ozoneper milliliter of oxygen. In terms of percentage ozone by weight, 1%ozone equals 14.3 micrograms of ozone per milliliter of oxygen. Allunits of concentration and their equivalents are calculated at standardtemperature and pressure (i.e. 25° C. at 1 atmosphere).

Delivered-ozone is the amount of ozone contained within a volume of anozone/oxygen admixture that is delivered to a fluid or non-fluid target.

Absorbed-dose of ozone is the amount of delivered-ozone that is actuallyabsorbed and utilized by a measured amount of fluid or a non-fluidtarget.

Residual-ozone is the amount of delivered-ozone that is not absorbedsuch that:Residual-ozone=delivered-ozone−absorbed-dose of ozone.

An interface is defined as the contact between a fluid or non-fluidtarget and an ozone/oxygen admixture.

Interface-time is the time that a fluid resides within a gas-fluidcontacting device and is interfaced with an ozone/oxygen admixture orthe time that an ozone/oxygen admixture is in contact with a non-fluidtarget.

Interface surface area is defined as the dimensions of the surfacewithin a gas-fluid contacting device over which a fluid flows andcontacts an ozone/oxygen admixture. For a non-fluid target, it is thesurface area of the target to be contacted by the admixture.

Elapsed-time is the time that a fluid circulates through an ozonedelivery system, including passage through one or more gas-fluidcontacting devices, connecting tubing and an optional reservoir.Interface-time and elapsed-time are equivalent for a non-fluid target.

Ozone-inert materials are defined as construction materials that do notreact with ozone in a manner that introduces contaminants or deleteriousbyproducts of oxidation of the construction materials into a fluid ornon-fluid target.

Non-reactive is defined as not readily interacting with other elementsor compounds to form new chemical compounds.

Measured-data is defined as information collected from various measuringcomponents (for example, inlet ozone concentration monitor, exit ozoneconcentration monitor, gas flow meter, fluid pump, data acquisitiondevice, humidity sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, absorbedoxygen sensor) throughout the system.

Calculated-data is defined as the mathematical treatment ofmeasured-data by the data acquisition device.

Ozone Delivery System

An ozone delivery system delivers a measured amount of an ozone/oxygenadmixture and is able to measure, control, report and differentiatebetween the delivered-ozone and absorbed-dose of ozone. The systemprovides a controllable, measurable, accurate and reproducible amount ofozone that is delivered to a controllable, measurable, accurate andreproducible amount of fluid and controls the rate of ozone absorptionby the target resulting in a quantifiable absorbed-dose of ozone. Thesystem may accomplish this by using:

A manufacturing component, control components, measuring components, areporting component and calculating component (such as an ozonegenerator, gas flow meter, fluid pump, variable pitch platform, dataacquisition device, inlet ozone concentration monitor, and exit ozoneconcentration monitor) that cooperate to manufacture and deliver ameasured, controlled, accurate and reproducible amount of ozone, thedelivered-ozone, to a fluid through the use of a gas-fluid contactingdevice that provides for the interface between the ozone/oxygenadmixture and fluid. Using control components, measuring components, areporting component and calculating component (such as a gas flow meter,fluid pump, variable pitch platform, data acquisition device, inletozone concentration monitor, and exit ozone concentration monitor) thatcooperate, the system may instantly differentiate the delivered-ozonefrom the absorbed-dose of ozone.

The system utilizes (for example, a gas flow meter, fluid pump, variablepitch platform, data acquisition device, inlet ozone concentrationmonitor, and exit ozone concentration monitor) control components,measuring components, a reporting component and calculating componentthat cooperate and instantly report data that may include thedelivered-ozone, residual-ozone, absorbed-dose of ozone, interface-time,elapsed-time, and, the amount and flow rate of the fluid delivered tothe gas-contacting device.

1. Construction Materials

The gas-contacting surfaces of the ozone delivery system includinggas-fluid contacting devices are constructed from ozone-inert materialsto avoid consumption of ozone. Ozone-inert materials include stainlesssteel, borosilicate, quartz, ceramic composites, PFA (copolymer oftetrafluoroethylene and perfluorinated vinyl ether from theperfluoroalkoxy group) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, TEFLON), andare further defined as being non-reactive within the concentration rangeof ozone manufactured and delivered by an ozone delivery system. Adelivery system including one or more gas-fluid contact devices may beconstructed without the inclusion of any fluoropolymers,polyfluoroethylene, PFA or PTFE materials, in the event these materialsbecome a health concern.

2. Gas Flow

Medical grade oxygen is the source gas utilized, as lesser grades ofoxygen may include nitrogenous contaminants resulting in the formationof toxic nitrous oxides. FIG. 1 illustrates that the oxygen flows from apressurized cylinder (1-1), through a regulator (1-2), through aparticle filter (1-3), through a flow meter (1-4) where the oxygen andsubsequent ozone/oxygen admixture flow rate is controlled and measured,through a pressure release valve (1-5), through an ozone generator (1-6)wherein the concentration of the ozone/oxygen admixture is manufacturedand controlled and where the admixture volume contains thedelivered-ozone. The ozone/oxygen admixture flows through a particlefilter (1-3) to remove particulates, and through an optional moisturetrap (1-7), to reduce moisture. The admixture proceeds through an ozoneinlet concentration monitor (1-8) that measures and reports the inletozone concentration of the ozone/oxygen admixture that contains thedelivered-ozone. This real-time measurement may be based on ozone s UVabsorption characteristics as a detection methodology. The ozone/oxygenadmixture then passes through a set of valves (1-9) used to isolate agas-fluid contacting device for purging of gasses. The ozone/oxygenadmixture may pass an optional humidity sensor (1-20) where humidity maybe measured and recorded, through a gas-fluid contacting device (1-10)where it interfaces with a fluid. The interface-time between anozone/oxygen admixture and a fluid may be controlled through adjustmentof the variable pitch platform as illustrated in FIG. 4, the fluid pump(1-15), and the time controlling capacity of the data acquisition device(1-17). The interface-time can be measured by the data acquisitiondevice (1-17). Temperature and pressure may be measured by the use oftemperature sensors (1-25) and pressure sensors (1-26), respectively,inserted into their respective temperature port (1-21) and pressure port(1-22). The resultant ozone/oxygen admixture containing theresidual-ozone then exits the gas-fluid contacting device and flowsthrough the exit purge valves (1-11), through a moisture trap (1-7),through an exit ozone concentration monitor (1-12), which may utilize asimilar detection methodology as ozone concentration monitor (1-8), andthat measures and reports the exit ozone/oxygen admixture concentration.The exiting ozone/oxygen admixture then proceeds through a gas drier(1-13), through an ozone destructor (1-14) and a flow meter (1-19).

3. Fluid Flow

FIG. 1 further illustrates that a fluid flows through tubing, from thefluid pump (1-15), into the gas-fluid contacting device (1-10) where itinterfaces with an ozone/oxygen admixture containing thedelivered-ozone. Insertion ports for temperature and pressure sensorsmay be located in the gas-fluid contacting device for the measurement oftemperature and pressure, respectively. After interfacing with theozone/oxygen admixture, the fluid exits into tubing that may contain aport for an optional absorbed oxygen sensor (1-23) followed by a fluidaccess port allowing for fluid removal (1-24) and into an optionalreservoir (1-16), where if configured in a closed loop, the fluid iscirculated in a repetitive manner. Other fluid loop configurations maybe utilized, including but not limited to, configurations similar to athose used in dialysis for mammalian applications, for example asdepicted in FIG. 5.

A data acquisition device (1-17), such as DAQSTATION (Yokogawa), forexample, has time measurement capabilities, reports, stores and monitorsdata instantly and in real-time, and performs various calculations andstatistical operations on data acquired. All data is transmitted to thedata acquisition device through data cables (1-18), including: data fromozone concentration monitors (1-8) and (1-12), flow meters (1-4) and(1-19), humidity sensor (1-20), temperature sensor (1-21), pressuresensor (1-22), fluid pump (1-15), and absorbed oxygen sensor (1-23). Theelapsed time, a composite of both the interface time and the period oftime that the fluid circulates through the other elements of theapparatus can be measured and controlled through the data acquisitiondevice (1-17).

4. Measurement of Delivered-Ozone, Residual-Ozone and Absorbed-Dose ofOzone

The ozone delivery system utilizes measuring components, reportingcomponents and calculating components (such as inlet ozone concentrationmonitor, exit ozone concentration monitor, gas flow meter, fluid pump,data acquisition device) that cooperate together to determine certaincalculated-data including the delivered-ozone, the residual-ozone andthe absorbed-dose of ozone.

Delivered-ozone is an amount of ozone calculated by multiplying themeasured volume of ozone/oxygen admixtures, as reported by gas flowmeters, by the measured concentration of ozone within the ozone/oxygenadmixture as it enters the gas-fluid contacting device, as reported bythe inlet ozone concentration monitor. The measured volume ofozone/oxygen admixtures is calculated by multiplying the measured gasflow reported by gas flow meters, by the elapsed-time, as determined bythe time measurement capability of the data acquisition device.

Residual-ozone is an amount of ozone calculated by multiplying themeasured volume of ozone/oxygen admixtures, as reported by gas flowmeters, by the measured concentration of ozone within the ozone/oxygenadmixture exiting the gas-fluid contacting device, as reported by theexit ozone concentration monitor. The measured volume of ozone/oxygenadmixtures is calculated by multiplying the measured gas flow reportedby gas flow meters, by the elapsed-time, as determined by the timemeasurement capability of the data acquisition device.

The absorbed-dose of ozone is an amount of ozone calculated bysubtracting the amount of residual-ozone from the amount ofdelivered-ozone, as determined by the time measurement capability of thedata acquisition device.

The absorbed-dose of ozone may range from 1 to 10,000,000 micrograms permilliliter of fluid, and may be between 1 and 10,000 ug per milliliterof fluid.

All measured-data, including measured data from the gas flow meters,inlet and exit ozone concentration monitors, the fluid pump, temperaturesensors, pressure sensors, absorbed oxygen sensor and humidity sensorsare transmitted to a data acquisition device. The data acquisitiondevice has time measuring capabilities, and instant, real-timereporting, calculating and data storing capabilities to process allmeasured data. The data acquisition device may use any measured data orany combination of measured data as variables to producecalculated-data. Examples of calculated-data may includedelivered-ozone, residual-ozone, absorbed-dose of ozone, absorbed-doseof ozone per unit volume of fluid, and the absorbed-dose of ozone perunit volume of fluid per unit time.

5. Variables and Equipment

An ozone delivery system includes an ozone generator (1-6) for themanufacture and control of a measured amount of an ozone/oxygenadmixture and where the admixture volume contains the delivered-ozone. Acommercially available ozone generator capable of producing ozone in aconcentration range between 10 and 3,000,000 ppmv of ozone in anozone/oxygen admixture may be employed. Ozone/oxygen admixtureconcentrations entering the gas-fluid contacting device are instantlyand constantly measured in real time, through an ozone concentrationmonitor (1-8) that may utilize UV absorption as a detection methodology.A flow meter (1-4) controls and measures the delivery of thedelivered-ozone in an ozone/oxygen admixture to the gas-fluid contactingdevice at a specified admixture flow rate. Ozone/oxygen admixture flowrates are typically in the range between 0.1 and 5.0 liters per minute.

Measurement of the humidity of the ozone/oxygen admixture delivered tothe gas-fluid contacting device may be included through the use of ahumidity sensor. A humidity sensor port (1-20) may be provided in theozone/oxygen admixture connecting tubing, however, it can be placed in avariety of locations. For example, the humidity sensor may be located inthe connecting tubing prior to the admixture's entrance into gas-fluidcontacting device.

Measurement of the temperature within the gas-fluid contacting deviceduring the interface-time may be provided by inclusion of a temperaturesensor port in the gas fluid contacting device through which atemperature sensor (1-21) may be inserted. The temperature at whichozone/oxygen admixtures interface fluids ranges from 4° to 100° C., andmay be performed at ambient temperature, 25° C., for example. Thetemperature at which the interface occurs can be controlled by placingthe gas-fluid contacting device, optional reservoir, and both gas andfluid connecting tubing in a temperature controlled environment, and/orby the addition of heating or cooling elements to the gas-fluid contactdevice.

Measurement of the pressure within the gas-fluid contacting deviceduring the interface-time is provided by inclusion of a pressure sensorport in the gas-fluid contacting device through which a pressure sensor(1-22) may be inserted. The pressure at which an ozone/oxygen admixtureinterfaces with a fluid ranges from ambient pressure to 50 psi and maybe performed between ambient pressure and 3 psi, for example. A pressuresensor port may be provided in each gas-fluid contacting device tomeasure and report the pressure at which the interface occurs.

The concentration of the ozone/oxygen admixtures exiting the gas-fluidcontacting device and where the admixture volume contains theresidual-ozone, are instantly and constantly measured in real timethrough an exit ozone concentration monitor that may utilize UVabsorption as a detection methodology (1-12).

A fluid pump (1-15) controls and measures the flow rate of the fluiddelivered to the gas-fluid-contacting device at a specified fluid flowrate. Fluid flow rates through the gas-fluid contacting device typicallywill range from 1 ml to 100 liters per minute, and for example, may bebetween 1 ml to 10 liters per minute. The fluid may be contained withina closed-loop design and may be circulated through the gas-fluidcontacting device once or multiple times.

Measurement of the amount of oxygen absorbed into a fluid while itinterfaces with the ozone/oxygen admixture within the gas-fluidcontacting device may be provided through the use of an absorbed oxygensensor. The sensor is inserted within the absorbed oxygen sensor port(1-23) located in the tubing as it exits the gas-fluid contactingdevice. Measurement of absorbed oxygen may be recorded in various units,including ppm, milligrams/liter or percent saturation.

The system also includes a fluid access port (1-24) for fluid removal.The port is generally located in the tubing member after the fluid exitsthrough the fluid exit port of the gas-fluid contacting device and priorto the optional reservoir (1-16).

A data acquisition device (1-17), such as DAQSTATION (Yokogawa), forexample, has time measurement capabilities, reports, stores and monitorsdata instantly and in real-time, and performs various calculations andstatistical operations on data acquired. Data is transmitted to the dataacquisition device through data cables (1-18), including: data fromozone concentration monitors (1-8) and (1-12), flow meters (1-4) and(1-19), humidity sensor (1-20), temperature sensor (1-21), pressuresensor (1 fluid pump (1-15) and absorbed oxygen sensor (1-23).

One of skill in the art will appreciate that components of an ozonedelivery system may be replaced by those of technical equivalence.

Calculated-data may include delivered-ozone, residual-ozone, and theabsorbed-dose of ozone. Measurement of the volume of the ozone/oxygenadmixture delivered can be calculated though data provided from the flowmeter (1-4) and the time measurement capability of the data acquisitiondevice (1-17). Measurement of the volume of fluid delivered to thegas-fluid contacting device (1-10) can be calculated by the dataacquisition device (1-17) utilizing fluid flow rate data transmittedfrom the fluid pump (1-4).

The elapsed-time can be measured and controlled through the dataacquisition device (1-17). The elapsed-time that the fluid circulatesthrough the apparatus including the gas-fluid contacting device and isinterfaced with an ozone/oxygen admixture can vary, generally forduration of up to 120 hours. The interface-time may also be measured bythe time measuring capacity of the data acquisition device (1-17). Theinterface-time between a fluid and an ozone/oxygen admixture may becontrolled through a composite of controls. These controls include: theangle of the gas fluid contacting device (as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and4), the fluid flow rate via fluid pump, and the time controllingcapacity of the data acquisition device. The interface-time may vary induration of up to 720 minutes, and generally within duration of up to120 minutes.

Controllable variables for an ozone delivery system may include:delivered amounts and concentrations of ozone in the entranceozone/oxygen admixtures, admixture flow rates, fluid flow rates,admixture flow rates, temperature in the gas-fluid contacting device,interface-time between fluid and admixture; and, the elapsed-time thatthe fluid may circulate through the apparatus and interface with anozone/oxygen admixture.

Measurable variables may include: ozone/oxygen admixture amounts andflow rates, amounts and concentrations of ozone in the entrance and exitozone/oxygen admixtures, fluid flow rates, temperature and pressure inthe gas-contacting device, humidity of the entrance admixture to thegas-fluid contacting device, absorbed oxygen by the fluid,interface-time and elapsed-time.

Data representing controllable variables and measurable variablesacquired by the apparatus allows for a variety of calculationsincluding: delivered-ozone, residual-ozone, absorbed-dose of ozone,absorbed-dose of ozone per unit volume of fluid, and the absorbed-doseof ozone per unit volume of fluid per unit time.

Continuous Loop Configuration

FIG. 5 illustrates blood from a patient being extracorporeallyinterfaced with an ozone/oxygen admixture. Blood may be circulated in acontinuous loop format in a venovenous extracorporeal exchange format aswill be appreciated by one of skill in the art. As an example, thiscontinuous loop can be established through venous access of theantecubital veins of both right and left arms. Prior to establishing anextracorporeal circuit, a patient may optionally be anticoagulated withheparin or any other suitable anticoagulant known to those skilled inthe art.

1. Gas Flow for Continuous Loop

The oxygen flows from a pressurized cylinder (5-1), through a regulator(5-2), through a particle filter (5-3) to remove particulates, through aflow meter (5-4) where the oxygen and subsequent ozone/oxygen admixtureflow rate is controlled and measured. The oxygen proceeds through apressure release valve (5-5), through an ozone generator (5-6) where theconcentration of the ozone/oxygen admixture is manufactured andcontrolled and where the admixture volume includes the delivered-ozone.The ozone/oxygen admixture flows through an optional moisture trap(5-7), to reduce moisture. The admixture proceeds through an inlet ozoneconcentration monitor (5-8) that measures and reports the inlet ozoneconcentration of the ozone/oxygen admixture that contains thedelivered-ozone. This real-time measurement may be based on ozone's UVabsorption characteristics as a detection methodology. The ozone/oxygenadmixture then passes through a set of valves (5-9) used to isolate agas-fluid contacting device for purging of gasses. The ozone/oxygenadmixture may pass an optional humidity sensor (5-20) where humidity maybe measured and recorded, and into a gas-fluid contacting device (5-10)where it interfaces with fluid. The interface-time between fluid andozone/oxygen admixture may be controlled through adjustment of thevariable pitch platform as illustrated in FIG. 4, fluid pump (5-15) andthe time controlling capacity of the data acquisition device (5-17). Theinterface-time may then be measured by the data acquisition device(5-17). Temperature (5-21) and pressure (5-22) may be measured by theuse of optional temperature and pressure sensors, respectively, insertedinto their respective ports. The resultant ozone/oxygen admixturecontaining the residual-ozone exits the gas-fluid contacting device andflows through the exit purge valves (5-11), through a moisture trap(5-7), through an exit ozone concentration monitor (5-12), which mayutilize a similar detection methodology as the inlet ozone concentrationmonitor (5-8), that measures and reports the exit ozone/oxygen admixtureconcentration. The exiting ozone/oxygen admixture then proceeds througha gas drier (5-13), through an ozone destructor (5-14) and a flow meter(5-19).

2. Fluid Flow for Continuous Loop

Intravenous blood flows from the patient through tubing through apressure gauge (5-27), which monitors the pressure of the blood flowexiting the patient. Generally, the pressure of the blood exiting thepatient ranges from a negative pressure of 100-200 mm Hg, and may bebetween a negative pressure of 150 and 200 mm Hg, with a maximum cutoffpressure of minus 250 mm Hg. The blood flows through a fluid pump (5-15)and is optionally admixed with heparin or other suitable anticoagulantas provided by an optional heparin pump (5-16). The blood then passesthrough the gas-fluid contacting device (5-10) where it interfaces withthe ozone/oxygen admixture containing the delivered-ozone. Ports for theinsertion of sensors may be located in the gas-fluid contacting devicefor the measurement of temperature and pressure, respectively. Afterinterfacing with the ozone/oxygen admixture, the fluid exits into tubingthat may contain a port for an optional absorbed oxygen sensor (5-23)followed by a fluid access port (5-24). The blood continues through anair/emboli trap (5-25) that removes any gaseous bubbles or emboli. Theblood then continues through a fluid pump (5-26) and then into apressure gauge (5-28) which monitors the pressure of the blood flowbefore returning to the patient. Generally, the pressure of the bloodentering the patient ranges from a pressure of 100-200 mm Hg, and may bebetween 150 and 200 mm Hg, with a maximum cutoff pressure of 250 mm Hg.The blood continues through a priming fluid access port (5-29) thatallows for the removal of the priming fluid from the extracorporealloop. The blood is then re-infused directly into the patient.

A data acquisition device (5-17), such as DAQSTATION (Yokogawa), forexample, has time measurement capabilities, reports, stores and monitorsdata instantly and in real-time, and performs various calculations andstatistical operations on data acquired. All data is transmitted to thedata acquisition device through data cables (5-18), including: data fromozone concentration monitors (5-8) and (5-12), flow meters (5-4) and(5-19), humidity sensor (5-20), temperature sensor (5-21), pressuresensor (5-22), fluid pumps (5-15) and (5-26), pressure gauges (5-27) and(5-28) and absorbed oxygen sensor (5-23). The elapsed time, a compositeof both the interface time and the period of time that the fluidcirculates through the other elements of the apparatus can be measuredand controlled through the data acquisition device (5-17).

Other possible configurations for an extracorporeal blood circuit knownto those skilled in the art are included within the spirit of thisdisclosure.

Gas-Fluid Contacting Devices

One or more gas-fluid contacting devices may be included in an ozonedelivery system to increase the surface area of a fluid to be treatedallowing for an increase in the mass transfer efficiency of theozone/oxygen admixture. Gas-fluid contacting devices may encompass thefollowing properties: closed and isolated from the ambient atmosphere,gas inlet and outlet ports for the entry and exit of ozone/oxygenadmixtures, fluid inlet and outlet ports for the entry and exit of afluid. They may also include measuring components (such as a temperaturesensor, pressure sensor and data acquisition device) for the measurementand reporting of temperature and pressure within a gas-fluid contactingdevice. These devices may generate a thin film of the fluid as it flowswithin a gas-fluid contacting device, and may be constructed fromozone-inert construction materials including, quartz, ceramic composite,borosilicate, stainless steel, PFA and PTFE.

Gas-fluid contacting devices include designs that encompass surfacesthat may be horizontal or approaching a horizontal orientation. Thesesurfaces may include ridges, indentations, undulations, etched surfacesor any other design that results in a contour change and furthermore,may include any pattern, regular or irregular, that may disrupt theflow, disperse the flow or cause turbulence. These surfaces may or maynot contain holes through which a fluid passes through. The surface ofthe structural elements may have the same or different pitches. Designsof gas-fluid contacting devices may include those that involve one ormore of the same shaped surfaces or any combination of differentsurfaces, assembled in any combination of ways to be encompassed withinthe device may include cones, rods, tubes, flat and semi-flat surfaces,discs and spheres.

The interface between an ozone/oxygen admixture and a fluid may beaccomplished by the use of a gas-fluid contact device that generates athin film of the fluid that interfaces with the ozone-oxygen admixtureas it flows through the device. One of skill in the art will appreciatethat generation of any interface that increases the surface area of thefluid and thereby maximizes the contact between a fluid and anadmixture, may be used. Additional examples include the generation of anaerosol through atomization or nebulization.

The interface-time within a gas-fluid contacting device is measurable,controllable, calculable and reportable. Furthermore, the interface-timemay be for duration of up to 720 minutes, generally however, forduration of up to 120 minutes. Following the interface-time, the fluidexits the gas-fluid contacting device containing the absorbed-dose ofozone. The elapsed-time, a composite of both the interface-time and thetime for circulation of a fluid through other elements of an ozonedelivery system is also measurable, controllable, calculable andreportable. This elapsed-time is for duration of up to 120 hours.

The pressure at the interface between fluid and ozone/oxygen admixturewithin a gas-fluid contacting device may be measured. Measurement ofpressure within the device may be accomplished through the use of apressure sensor inserted at the pressure port of the gas-fluidcontacting device. The pressure at which an ozone/oxygen admixtureinterfaces with a fluid ranges from ambient pressure to 50 psi and maybe performed between ambient pressure and 3 psi.

The temperature within a gas-fluid contacting device may be controlledby housing the device such that the connecting tubing containing bothgas and fluid and an optional reservoir are maintained in a controlledtemperature environment. A flow hood that provides for temperatureregulation is an example of a controlled temperature environment.Alternatively, the addition of heating or cooling elements to thegas-fluid contact device may provide for the control of temperature.Measurement of temperature within the device may be accomplished throughthe use of a temperature sensor inserted at the temperature port of agas-fluid contacting device. The temperature at which ozone/oxygenadmixtures interface fluids ranges from 4° to 100° C., and may beperformed at ambient temperature, 25° C., for example.

A gas-fluid contacting device may be placed onto any type of agitatorplatform. The agitator platform may be employed to increase theeffectiveness of the ozone/oxygen admixture interface with a fluid beingpassed through the device.

Gas-fluid contacting devices may be utilized individually or inconjunction with other such devices, whether they are similar ordissimilar in construction, design or orientation. In the event thatmultiple devices are utilized, either of the same design, or acombination of different gas-fluid contacting devices of differentdesigns, these devices may be arranged one after the other in succession(in series), making a single device out of multiple individual contactdevices.

In a series configuration of devices, a fluid flowing through thedifferent contact devices flows in series, from the fluid exit port ofone contact device to the fluid entrance port of the next, until passingthrough all the devices. The ozone/oxygen admixture may flow in a numberof arrangements. In one example, the ozone/oxygen admixture flowsthrough different contact devices in series, from the admixture exitport of one contact device to the admixture entrance port of the next.As an alternative example, the ozone/oxygen admixture may flow directlyfrom the admixture source to the entrance port of each different contactdevice. Another alternative is a combination of the foregoing exampleswhere the ozone/oxygen admixture flows from the exit port of somedevices to the entrance port of other devices and in addition, to theentrance of some devices directly from the admixture source. In theevent that multiple devices are utilized, the resultant fluid from theterminal device can either be collected or returned to the originaldevice and recirculated.

1. Sphere-Containing Gas-Fluid Contacting Device

A gas-fluid contacting device, as illustrated in FIG. 2, may consist ofan upper housing (2-6), a middle housing of variable thickness (2-7),and a lower housing (2-8) of various dimensions with regard to heightand internal diameter. One of skill in the art will appreciate that adisparity in dimension is provided for the applicability of a gas-fluidcontacting device to fluids of varying volume and viscosity. The devicehousing includes at least one inlet (2-3) and one exit port (2-1) forozone/oxygen admixture entrance and exit, respectively. A fluid entranceport (2-2) is positioned at the top of the device permitting entranceand fluid flow is directed in a downward fashion. The top of the deviceis constructed with a removable cap (2-4) sealed with ozone-inertO-rings (2-5). The ozone/oxygen admixture may flow in a directionsimilar, counter or in combination thereof to the direction of the fluidflow. A fluid exit port (2-9) may be positioned at the base of thedevice. Temperature and pressure ports may be included for insertion oftemperature and pressure sensors, respectively.

A gas-fluid contacting device may be filled with a number of spheres(2-12), generally of quartz, ceramic composite, borosilicate, PFA orPTFE construction. These spheres may generally range in diameter from 1to 100 mm, although one of skill in the art will recognize thatalternative diameters are possible depending on need. The sphere contentand configuration within the cartridge may include; homogenous sphericaldiameter, heterogeneous spherical diameter, continuous gradient ofincreasing spherical diameter, continuous gradient of decreasingspherical diameter and discontinuous sets of spheres wherein each set ofspheres is of homogenous size but sphere size disparity may existbetween the plates.

Regardless of spherical diameter and distribution configuration, thespheres generally occupy approximately seventy-five percent of theinternal volume of the device (2-11), however, one of skill in the artwill appreciate that alternative volumes are possible. Generally, thetotal interface surface area of the sphere-containing gas-fluidcontacting device can range from 0.01 m² upwards depending on the sizeof the device, and the sphere diameter chosen. A disk/tray (2-10) may belocated above the spheres and is perforated to permit a more homogenousdistribution of the fluid across the spherical surfaces upon entranceinto the device.

The fluid enters the device from the fluid entrance port (2-2) and flowsover the surface of these spheres forming a thin film over the surfaceof each, and causing turbulence as the fluid flows down through thedevice. Increasing the surface area of the fluid, by generating a thinfilm, for example, permits for the maximization of mass transfer of theozone/oxygen admixture that continuously passes over each sphere. Thefluid exits the device through the fluid exit port (2-9).

2. Cylindrical Rod Containing Device

A cylindrical rod-containing device contains a number of cylindricalrods, either solid or hollow in design, whose construction may includequartz, ceramic composite or borosilicate. These rods may generallyrange in diameter between 3-25 mm but may vary significantly inapplications with larger volumes of fluid or different viscosities. Inaddition, these rods may be constructed with ridges, undulations,indentations or etched surfaces along their length, respectively. Thecylindrical rods are secured in place within a housing to maintain arelative equidistance from adjoining rods and the internal walls of thehousing.

A fluid entrance port is positioned at the top of the device permittingentrance of a fluid such that flow is gravity directed. Atop thecylindrical rods is a disk that is perforated to permit a morehomogenous distribution of the fluid as it enters the device and alongthe surfaces of both the cylindrical rods and the internal walls of thedevice housing.

The number of rods contained within a device may vary based upon theinterface surface area desired. The total interface surface area of thisexample gas-fluid contacting device approximates 1.0 m²/meter length ofthe device or greater depending on the size of the device and the numberof rods chosen. Furthermore, one of skill in the art will appreciatethat the interface surface area can be substantially increased byincorporating hollow cylindrical (tubes) rods thereby creating a surfacearea approximating 1.5 m²/meter length of the device.

3. Variable Pitch Device

A gas-fluid contacting device, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may include anenclosed chamber, generally rectangular in shape, whose dimensions mayvary based on the interface surface area desired. A fluid enters thedevice and flows over the bottom surface (3-12) of the chamber to form athin film. The bottom surface (3-12) may include flat, undulating orridged designs, may be etched, and may have regular or irregularpatterns of any shape or form that disrupt and/or disperse the fluidflow. At the fluid entrance of the device (3-2), construction allows thefluid to distribute evenly along the leading edge of the bottom surface.In contrast, the fluid exit end is constructed with a fluid collectiontrough (3-7) that is graded toward the drain (3-9) to permit collectionof the fluid for exiting. Fluid entrance (3-2) and exit ports (3-8) arepositioned at opposite ends of the device.

Fluid flow may be gravity directed (3-5). The top cover (3-11) of thedevice is secured to the bottom of the device by a flange (3-6) on thebase, and uses an ozone-inert gasket (3-3) between the top (3-11) andbottom (3-13) and is attached to the bottom through the use of fastenersthat pass through the holes (3-4) in the top cover (3-11), the gasket(3-3), and bottom flange (3-6). One skilled in the art will recognizedifferent sealing and attachment technologies may be employed to attachand seal the top to the bottom, and the method described serves only asan example that should not be considered limiting in scope. Theozone/oxygen admixture may enter the device through the gas inlet port(3-10), and exit the device through the gas exit port (3-1), althoughthese may be reversed depending on the desired direction of the gasflow. The gas may flow in a direction similar, counter or in combinationthereof to the direction of the fluid flow. The gas-fluid interface-timeis controllable by varying a number of parameters, including adjustingthe pitch on a variable pitch platform (See FIG. 4). The pitch isadjustable ranging from 0° (horizontal) to 90° (vertical).

The device exhibited in FIG. 3 can assume a variety of pitches throughthe use of the platform detailed in FIG. 4. A single or multitude ofvariable pitch devices (4-2) can be assembled in series on this platform(4-4) that also provides an adjustment mechanism to provide individualpitch variation for each device. The platform has a variety of positionsfor support rods (4-3) to be inserted on which each device is supportedthat allows for the variety of pitch desired and resultant fluid flow(4-1).

When arranged in series with other contact devices, interface timebetween the fluid and ozone/oxygen admixture is controllable, and can beadjusted based on the individual pitch chosen for each device in series,or by adding additional devices to the series. The overall interfacesurface area will range from 0.01 m² for an individual device, andupwards based on the number of devices serially utilized.

Example 1

An example of data measured and calculated by the ozone delivery systemthat utilizes a fluid target described herein is included in Table 1.Newborn Calf Serum commercially obtained was utilized as the targetfluid. The variable pitch device (FIG. 3) with variable pitch platform(FIG. 4) was employed as the gas-fluid contacting device. The followinginitial conditions were utilized; 300 ppmv ozone inlet concentration,145 ml initial fluid volume, 1000 ml per minute gaseous flow rate, 189ml per minute fluid flow rate counter current to the ozone/oxygenadmixture flow. Incremental reductions in fluid volume are due tosampling of fluid through the fluid access port (24).

TABLE 1 NEWBORN CALF SERUM MEASURED VARIABLES Average Inlet OzoneAverage Exit Ozone Elapsed-time Fluid Volume Gas Flow Rate Fluid FlowRate Concentration Concentration (5 min intervals) (milliliters)(liters/minute) (liters/minute) (ppmv) (ppmv)  5 145 0.998 0.189 305.238.2 10 143 0.972 0.189 361.5 40.4 15 141 1.000 0.189 312.7 20.6 20 1391.000 0.189 314.0 37.3 CALCULATED VARIABLES Average Differential OzoneOzone Absorbed Absorbed-dose Elapsed-time Concentration Delivered-ozoneResidual-ozone per Interval of Ozone (minutes) (ppmv) (ug) (ug) (ug)(ug)  5 267.0 3.26E+03 4.08E+02 2.86E+03 2.86E+03 10 321.1 7.02E+038.28E+02 3.34E+03 6.20E+03 15 292.1 1.04E+04 1.06E+03 3.12E+03 9.32E+0320 276.7 1.37E+04 1.46E+03 2.96E+03 1.23E+04

Example 2

An additional example of data measured and calculated by the systemdescribed herein is tabulated in Table 2 below. Newborn Calf Serumcommercially obtained was utilized as the target fluid. The variablepitch device (FIG. 3) with variable pitch platform (FIG. 4) was employedas the gas-fluid contacting device. The following initial conditionswere utilized; 600 ppmv ozone inlet concentration, 137 ml initial fluidvolume, 1000 ml per minute gaseous flow rate, 189 ml per minute fluidflow rate counter current to the ozone/oxygen admixture flow.Incremental reductions in fluid volume are due to sampling of fluidthrough the fluid access port (24).

TABLE 2 NEWBORN CALF SERUM MEASURED VARIABLES Average Inlet OzoneAverage Exit Ozone Elapsed-time Fluid Volume Gas Flow Rate Fluid FlowRate Concentration Concentration (5 minute intervals) (milliliters)(liters/minute) (liters/minute) (ppmv) (ppmv) 5 137 1.000 0.189 604.272.0 5 135 1.000 0.189 609.6 63.5 5 133 1.000 0.189 606.6 70.8 5 1311.000 0.189 605.3 71.7 CALCULATED VARIABLES Average Differential OzoneOzone Absorbed Absorbed-dose Elapsed-time Concentration Delivered-ozoneResidual-ozone per Interval of ozone (minutes) (ppmv) (ug) (ug) (ug)(ug)  5 532.2 6.47E+03 7.70E+02 5.69E+03 5.69E+03 10 546.1 1.30E+041.45E+03 5.84E+03 1.15E+04 15 535.8 1.95E+04 2.21E+03 5.73E+03 1.73E+0420 533.6 2.60E+04 2.98E+03 5.71E+03 2.30E+04

Example 3

Another example of data measured and calculated by the system describedherein is tabulated in Table 3 below. Newborn Calf Serum commerciallyobtained was utilized as the target fluid. The variable pitch device(FIG. 3) with variable pitch platform (FIG. 4) was employed as thegas-fluid contacting device. The following initial conditions wereutilized; 900 ppmv ozone inlet concentration, 145 ml initial fluidvolume, 1000 ml per minute gaseous flow rate, 189 ml per minute fluidflow rate counter current to the ozone/oxygen admixture flow.Incremental reductions in fluid volume are due to sampling of fluidthrough the fluid access port (24).

TABLE 3 NEWBORN CALF SERUM MEASURED VARIABLES Average Inlet OzoneAverage Exit Ozone Elapsed-time Fluid Volume Gas Flow Rate Fluid FlowRate Concentration Concentration (5 minute intervals) (milliliters)(liters/minute) (liters/minute) (ppmv) (ppmv) 5 145 1.000 0.189 908.168.0 5 143 1.000 0.189 911.4 50.1 5 141 1.000 0.189 904.4 46.6 5 1391.000 0.189 904.7 50.9 CALCULATED VARIABLES Average Differential OzoneOzone Absorbed Absorbed-dose Elapsed-time Concentration Delivered-ozoneResidual-ozone per Interval of ozone (minutes) (ppmv) (ug) (ug) (ug)(ug)  5 840.1 9.72E+03 7.28E+02 8.99E+03 8.99E+03 10 861.3 1.95E+041.26E+03 9.22E+03 1.82E+04 15 857.8 2.92E+04 1.76E+03 9.18E+03 2.74E+0420 853.8 3.88E+04 2.31E+03 9.13E+03 3.65E+04Non-Fluid Target

In an alternative embodiment, the ozone delivery system is used fornon-fluid targets. In this embodiment, a gas-fluid contacting device isnot employed but rather a contact device applicable to a non-fluidtarget surface. The ozone delivery system is able to measure, controland report the amount of delivered-ozone, and measure, control andreport the absorbed-dose of ozone. For medicinal applications, thisembodiment is capable of measuring, reporting and differentiating theamount of delivered-ozone to the target from the absorbed-dose of ozonethat is actually utilized by the target.

Examples of non-fluid targets for the delivered-ozone include: externallimbs, and, any external tissue surface, including hard, soft andmucosal tissue targets of animals including humans. Internal tissuesexposed through a variety of ways, including surgery and trauma may beinterfaced with the delivered-ozone. Other targets for thedelivered-ozone include; medical implements and instruments, foodstuffs,food handling and storage equipment, pharmaceutical and biologicalhandling and storage equipment, air exchange and conditioning surfaces,microchips and other semi-conductor industry devices.

In this embodiment, an ozone delivery system includes manufacturing,control, measuring, reporting and calculating components (such as anozone generator, gas flow meter, data acquisition device, inlet ozoneconcentration monitor, exit ozone concentration monitor) that cooperatetogether with a contact device for interfacing the delivered-ozone withthe target. All gas-contacting surfaces in the system are constructedfrom ozone-inert construction materials. The structure of the contactdevice includes: dimensions sufficient to enclose the target,construction design allowing for the enclosed target to be sealed fromthe external environment, an inlet port for the entrance of thedelivered-ozone in an ozone/oxygen admixture, and an exit port for theexit of residual-ozone. In addition, ports for the insertion of sensorsto monitor pressure and temperature within the contact device while thedelivered-ozone interfaces with the target are optionally provided.

In one example a limb of a patient represents an irregular targetsurface for delivery of the delivered-ozone in a measured amount of anozone/oxygen admixture, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The oxygen flows froma pressurized cylinder (6-1), through a regulator (6-2), through aparticle filter (6-3) to remove particulates, through a flow meter (6-4)where the oxygen and subsequent ozone/oxygen admixture flow rate iscontrolled and measured. The oxygen proceeds through a pressure releasevalve (6-5), through an ozone generator (6-6) where the concentration ofthe ozone/oxygen admixture is manufactured and controlled and where theadmixture volume comprises the delivered-ozone. The ozone/oxygenadmixture flows through an optional moisture trap (6-7), to reducemoisture. The admixture proceeds through an inlet ozone concentrationmonitor (6-8) that measures and reports the inlet ozone concentration ofthe ozone/oxygen admixture volume that contains the delivered-ozone.This real-time measurement may be based on ozone's UV absorptioncharacteristics as a detection methodology.

The ozone/oxygen admixture then passes through a set of valves (6-9)used to isolate a contact device for purging of gasses. The ozone/oxygenadmixture may pass an optional humidity sensor (6-20) where humidity maybe measured and recorded, and into a contact-device (6-10) where it isinterfaced with the irregular target surface. In one example, thecontact device is a ‘bag-like’ structure with the capability toaccommodate the irregular contour of the limb. Examples of alternativecontacting devices may include chambers of various dimensions, andflexible wrappings or coverings that encompass and contour to theirregularity of a target and includes a closure mechanism for sealingthe target from the external environment.

A closure mechanism (6-15) at the site where the limb enters the contactdevice is provided sealing the enclosed portion of the limb from theenvironment. The variety of closure mechanisms included within the scopeof the disclosure are known to those skilled in the art. Theinterface-time between the target surface and ozone/oxygen admixture iscontrolled and measured during the period that the target surfaceresides in the contact device through control of the time controllingcapacity of the data acquisition device (6-17). Temperature (6-21) andpressure (6-22) may be measured by the use of optional sensors insertedinto their respective ports. The resultant ozone/oxygen admixturecontaining the residual-ozone then exits the contact device and flowsthrough the exit purge valves (6-11), through a moisture trap (6-7),through an exit ozone concentration monitor (6-12), which may utilize asimilar detection methodology as ozone concentration monitor (6-8), andthat measures and reports the exit ozone/oxygen admixture concentrationcontaining the residual-ozone. The exiting ozone/oxygen admixture thenproceeds through a gas drier (6-13), through an ozone destructor (6-14)and a flow meter (6-19).

A data acquisition device (6-17), such as DAQSTATION (Yokogawa), forexample, reports, stores and monitors data instantly and in real-time,and performs various calculations and statistical operations on dataacquired. Data is transmitted to the data acquisition device throughdata cables (6-18), including: data from ozone concentration monitors(6-8) and (6-12), flow meters (6-4) and (6-19), humidity sensor (6-20),temperature sensor (6-21), and pressure sensor (6-22). The‘elapsed-time’ for this application is equivalent to the interface time.Other possible configurations for non-fluid topical applications throughthe use of a contact-device are included within the spirit of thisdisclosure.

According to this non-fluid embodiment, the ozone delivery systemdelivers an ozone/oxygen admixture containing a measured, controlled andreported amount of delivered-ozone, which enters the inlet port of thecontact device encompassing the target. The target interfaces with thedelivered-ozone over an elapsed-time where the absorbed-dose of ozone,the amount of ozone absorbed and utilized by the target, is measured,controlled and reported. The residual-ozone is contained within theozone/oxygen admixture that exits through the exit port of the device.Variations in this embodiment include the measurement of temperature andpressure during the elapsed time for the interface between the targetand delivered-ozone.

The present system may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the system and method of use is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. An apparatus for delivering a measurable absorbed-dose of ozone to ameasured amount of fluid, comprising: a) an ozone generator thatmanufactures an ozone/oxygen admixture, and controls the concentrationof ozone within the ozone/oxygen admixture; b) a gas flow meter thatcontrols and measures the amount and flow rate of the ozone/oxygenadmixture delivered to a gas-fluid contacting device; c) a gas-fluidcontacting device including at least one variable pitch device, eachvariable device including a base having a flange extending around anopen upper end thereof, a cover closing the open upper end of said base,and a plurality of bolts extending through the cover and flange toremovably attach the cover to the base, the base and the cover togetherdefining an enclosed chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end andthat interfaces an ozone/oxygen admixture with a fluid, wherein a gasexit port and a fluid entrance port are disposed in the cover proximatesaid inlet end, a gas inlet port is disposed in the cover proximate saidoutlet end, and a fluid drain port is disposed in said base at proximatesaid outlet end; d) a fluid pump that controls and measures an amount ofthe fluid and a flow rate of the fluid entering a the gas-fluidcontacting device; e) a variable pitch platform for supporting the atleast one variable pitch device, wherein said variable pitch platformincludes a mechanism for adjusting the pitch of the at least onevariable pitch device relative to a horizontal base of said platform,said variable pitch platform cooperating with the fluid pump to controlthe time during which the ozone/oxygen admixture interfaces with thefluid in the gas-fluid contacting device; f) an inlet ozoneconcentration monitor that measures the concentration of theozone/oxygen admixture entering the gas-fluid contacting device; g) anexit ozone concentration monitor that measures the concentration of anozone/oxygen admixture exiting a gas-fluid contacting device; and h) adata acquisition device that cooperates with the gas-fluid contactingdevice, the ozone generator, the gas flow meter, the fluid pump, thevariable pitch platform, the inlet ozone concentration monitor and theexit ozone concentration monitor, to determine: i. the elapsed-timeduring that the ozone/oxygen admixture interfaces with the fluid in thegas-fluid contacting device; ii. the amount of ozone in the ozone/oxygenadmixture that is delivered to the gas-fluid contacting device; iii. theamount of ozone absorbed by the amount of fluid, within the gas-fluidcontact device; and iv. the amount of ozone remaining in theozone/oxygen admixture exiting the gas-fluid contact device; and whereinall ozone-contacting surfaces of said apparatus are constructed ofmaterial that is ozone-inert.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theelapsed-time ranges for a duration up to 120 hours.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of gas-fluid contacting devicesarranged in a series.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas-fluidcontacting device contains a temperature sensor.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the gas-fluid contacting device contains a pressuresensor.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ozone-inertconstruction materials include stainless steel, borosilicate, quartz,ceramic composites, PFA and PTFE.
 7. An apparatus for delivering ameasurable absorbed-dose of ozone to a fluid comprising: a gas-fluidcontacting device including at least one variable pitch device, eachvariable device including a base having a flange extending around anopen upper end thereof, a cover closing the open upper end of said base,and a plurality of bolts extending through the cover and flange toremovably attach the cover to the base, the base and the cover togetherdefining an enclosed chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end andthat interfaces an ozone/oxygen admixture with a fluid, wherein a gasexit port and a fluid entrance port are disposed in the cover proximatesaid inlet end, a gas inlet port is disposed in the cover proximate saidoutlet end, and a fluid drain port is disposed in said base at proximatesaid outlet end; an ozone generator; a gas flow meter; a fluid pump; avariable pitch platform supporting the at least one variable pitchdevice, wherein said variable pitch platform includes a mechanism foradjusting the pitch of the at least one variable pitch device relativeto a horizontal base of said platform, said variable pitch platformcooperating with the fluid pump to control the time during which theozone/oxygen admixture interfaces with the fluid in the gas-fluidcontacting device; an inlet ozone concentration monitor; an exit ozoneconcentration monitor; and a data acquisition device to control andmeasure the time during which and ozone/oxygen admixture interfaces witha measured amount of a fluid in the gas-fluid contacting device, and tocompile and report data from the ozone generator, the gas flow meter,the fluid pump, the inlet ozone concentration monitor and the exit ozoneconcentration monitor, and to calculate an amount of ozone delivered tothe gas-fluid contacting device and an amount of ozone absorbed by themeasured amount of fluid; wherein all ozone-contacting surfaces of saidapparatus are constructed of material that is ozone-inert.